42% of children have been bullied while online. 1 in 4 have had it happen more than once.

Instant messaging is the most commonly used tool for cyber-bullies.

Cyber-bullies are twice as likely to be girls.

More than 1 in 3 young people have been threatened online.Sources: Yale University, i-SAFE Survey.

What is "Cyberbullying"?

Bullying is no longer limited to the playground and can take away the sense of safety that a child feels while at home. Stopbullying.gov defines cyber-bullying as, "...Bullying that takes place using electronic technology. Electronic technology includes devices and equipment such as cell phones, computers, and tablets as well as communication tools including social media sites, text messages, chat, and websites." Cyber-bullying behavior can include, but is not limited to:

Posting nasty pictures or messages about others on blogs, websites, or social media

Pretending to be someone else/fake profiles

Spreading rumors on social networks

Harassing text messages or emails

Cyber-bullying is put into Two Categories

Synchronic (real-time)

Asynchronic (delayed)

Chat rooms

Social networks (Facebook, Twitter, Whisper, MySpace, blogs, etc.)

Cell phones; text messaging

Email

Instant messaging

YouTube

Online gaming (World of Warcraft, Call of Duty, etc.)

Those Most Affected

Ages 9-14 are most common as both victims and bullies

Girls are twice as likely as boys to be involved in cyber-bulling, as victim or perpetrator

Of those who are cyberbullied frequently:

62% were cyberbullied by a student from their school

46% were cyberbullied from a "friend"

55% did not know who had cyberbullied them

Students in grades 6-8

18% were cyberbullied at least once in the last couple months

6% said it happened to them 2 or more times

Motivations

81% of young people said that they cyberbully because they think it’s funny

Self-protection or revenge

Boredom

Ego-based; promote status

Seek a reaction; want to have control over others

How to tell if Your Child is Being Cyberbullied?

Computer avoidance or computer obsession

Rapid and sudden change in behavior at home or school

Nightmares

What You Can Do

Establish guidelines -- Download the MASK Safe Home Pledge and use it as a template by CLICKING HERE

Embrace technology

Don't write it off, despite its danger, it has many advantages if closely monitored